The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1887-07-20
PRESS OPINIONS.
HOWTHE THETERRITORIALPRESS
REGARD THE EXTRA
SESSION CALL.
Opinions of Some, and how the
Question is Begged by
Others.

The CHRONICLE presents herewith the
expressions of various newspapers re-
garding the session extraordinary of the
legislature, with the opinion of Judge
Blake, one of the legislators:
JUDGE BLAKE.
Judge Blake. q member of the presen,
house of the legislative assembly, who
is in attendance upon the supreme
court, was met last night by an indie.
pendent reporter and Of course was I'm.
mediately asked his opinion of the call
for an extra session. The judge did not
seem to think there was any particular
necessity for the convening of the legis.
lature in extraordinary session. He said
that he thought the bounty law for
ground squirrels was good law and that
Lis constituency was certainly heartily
in favor of it. His opinion is that the
law will not be repealed but will, how.
ever, be modified SO that the bounty
will be cut down to much smaller fig
ure. In relation to the revenue law he
thought it contained some very groat
defects and should certainly I've amend
ed, and seemed to entertain no doubt
but what it would be 80 patched up as
to be perfectly satisfactory. When ask
cd as to the tine that would be consum.
ed by the session, he said that ten days
would certainly be enough, II everyone
would buckle down to his work, but that
he had no idea that they would get
through in less than thirty days. "Mem.
bers of the legislature do not seem to
get down to work before they begin to
realize it is time to ADJOURN" said he.
INTER.MoUNrAIN:
1t has not been learned in this writing
what reasons have been given by the
governor for calling and extra session of
the legislature, but it is possible that the
chief one is that the revenue law may be
SO amended as to overcome the difficult
ties encountered by the county commits
sioners of the territory in meeting the
expenses of the year. 1t will be remem-
bered that the revenue act became law
just after the various county boards had
made the tax levy for the year. The
levy was made under the old law, but
the new law made such changes in rela.
ton to taxation that the levy under the
former rule was insufficient. The com.
missioners puzzled over the matter q
good deal, and finally decided that the
only way out of the difficulty was
though an extra session of the legisls.
ture. Another measure which will prob.
ably receive the attention of the solons
On reconvening is the ground squirrel
bill. The reincorporation bill, it is also
claimed by some parties. may be greatly
benefited by slight amendment, and in
addition to this it is possible that some
thing may be attempted in regard to ter
ritorial registration, though there is lit
tie hope to the effort meeting with any
better success than It did last winter,
MIssoULIAN:
Gov. Leslie has called an extra session
of the Legislature for August Goth, tina,
the revenue law may be so amended al
to overcome the difficulties encountered
by the county commissioners ofthe ter.
ritory in meeting the expenses Of the
year. Among other things which will
probably receive attention will Le the
ground squirrel business. and another at.
tempt will be made to pass registration
! act. ~,
INDEPENDENT:
twill be noticed by his proclamation
that Gov. Leslie turned his attention te
an extraordinary session shortly aftal
the adjournment Of the regular session
and within less than three weeks had
obtained President Cleveland's permis
sion for such session. It is unfortunate
that the change of governors should have
come in the middle of the legislative ses
sion. Gov. Leslie had but time to &C
quaint himself with the members OF the
legislature before the end of the session
approached, and upon him was thrown
mass of bills which he had no time Il
study, either during the course of theil
consideration or while they were in hi,
hands for signature. The result wal
that one or two important exceptions
he felt 1t best to rely upon the wisdom
of the election representatives of the
people and sign the bills rather than veto
them without careful study. The time
selected for calling the legislature to
gether is opportune-immediately aftel
the territorial fair when most of the
members will be in Helena. The session
should be a short one If the member
promptly accommodate themselves to the
business in hand. and fritter away nc
time in useless deliberations.
HERALD:
The Legislative Assembly of Montana
has been called to convene in extra ses'
sion on the Goth of August by Governor
Leslie, with the appreciation of the presi
dent. We had ventured to hope tha
this might be done during the comini
winter, but did not anticipate its coming
80 soon. But the sooner the better. sa!
we. The squirrel hunters have drainet
the Territorial treasury ofthe last penn,
and have only just begun. Before ou
credit is all gone and heavy debt pile,
up to oppress US all with taxation, it i
time to call halt. 1t will cost no NOR
to convene the Legislature in Angus
than in January, and the prospect is tina
during those five months squirrel boun
ties would amount to SIS, 1000 or more
Every consideration fayors the earlies
possible session. nothing else is al
tempted than the appeal of the squire
bounty, it would Justify the calling OF tn
session at this time, but there is some
thing more that demands attention. TIL
insane support by private contract is a
old and steady leak that would shoal al
most any treasury, without turning i
the squirrels. Governor Leslie deserve
the thanks of every citizen of the terri
tory for his action, and it will not be HI
fault if impending bankruptcy and III,
credit are not averted.